Dog Park

Background:

Over the past few years, Council has provided multiple opportunities for residents to identify their top priorities for Penhold. A dog park ranked in the top three priorities each time. This was further identified at the strategic planning session as a Town priority. 

Earlier this year, Council allocated land for the project and was pleased to announce Appollo Landscaping Inc. had approached the town offering to donate time and landscaping at the Dog Park. We are excited for this partnership and look forward to the construction of a long-awaited amenity in Penhold. 

The next step in the process was to develop a committee of residents to guide the development of the land into Penhold’s new Off Leash Dog Park. The first Dog Park Committee meeting was held on October 7 with 11 people in attendance: three town representatives and eight residents. The members are a diverse group with experience in grant writing, construction, and business connections. 

The Committee reviewed the Terms of Reference, confirmed the dog park location, and determined what the next steps would look like. Action items include each member visiting other dog parks to gather ideas for Penhold’s “bark park”. 

Committee Members:

  • Council representative: Councillor Tyrone Muller
  • Town representative: Lynnette Nisbet, Horticulturist
  • Business representative:  Murray Hanson, Appollo Landscaping Inc.
  • Community representatives

Committee Tasks:  

  1. Identify desired features of the dog park
  2. Design a dog park which includes the desired features
  3. Come up with fundraising ideas  
  4. Research grant opportunities and apply
  5. Help identify user responsibilities and possible town support 
  6. Name the Park – Appollo Landscaping has naming rights

The Committee is scheduled to meet the first Tuesday of each month.

Dog Park Proposed area

Dog Park available section

Why a dog park?

There are a number of benefits of off leash dog parks, not only for the dogs, but also their owners/guardians:

  • Provides a community setting in which people can gather and socialize; dogs are fabulous social ‘ice breakers’!1
  • Provides a place for dogs and their guardians to exercise safely.1 
  • Allows dogs to socialize and exercise off leash; dogs that are highly socialized are healthier, happier, less aggressive and less destructive.1
  • Allows dogs to meet in neutral territory, which can reduce fear, territoriality and aggression in dogs.1
  • Promotes responsible pet-ownership and the voluntary enforcement of dog-control laws.1
  • Regular unleashed exercise in a protected environment often reduces barking and other control problems.1
  • Can offer elderly and disabled citizens a place to safely exercise their canine companions.1
  • Encourages pedestrian traffic with alert canines on leash through the surrounding neighbourhood; many communities have found a significant reduction in crime around such parks.1
  • Can lead to better compliance of leashing bylaws outside of off leash areas.1

1 Proposed Off Leash Strategies, Off Leash Advisory Committee, City of Prince George, October 2011